FINANCE & ADMINISTRATIVE
COMMITTEE
2004-09-20
Meeting No. 16
Attendance
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J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer
C. Conrad, Town Solicitor
J. Sales, Commissioner of Community &
Fire
Services
A. Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate
Services
J. Baird, Commissioner of Development
Services
B. Cribbett, Treasurer
C. Biss, Chief Executive Officer, Markham
Public
Libraries
P. Loukes, Director, Operations &
Asset
Management
S. Taylor, Director, Strategic Services
J. Lustig, Director, Financial &
Client Services
J. Carnegie, Director, Corporate
Communications
P. Wealleans, Director of Taxation
S. Bertoia, General Manager, Construction
&
Utilities
M. Urquhart, Acting Manager,
Environmental
Leadership
P. Miller, Deputy Clerk
B. Wiles, Manager, Enforcement &
Licensing
G. Sequeira, Manager, Accounting &
Expenditure
Control
B. Varner, Real Property Manager
S. Matunin, Supervisor, Parks Maintenance
F. Wong, Manager, Financial Planning
B. Nanninga, Executive Assistant to Mayor
and
Council
J. Kee, Committee Clerk
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The Finance & Administrative Committee convened at the hour of 1:10
p.m.
without quorum with Councillor S. Daurio in the Chair. Quorum was reached at 1:15
p.m.
DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST
None declared.
1. KEEPING
OF PIGEONS - URBAN AREA (2.8) Weblink
Moved by Regional Councillor J. Heath
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
That the owner of
pigeon operations at 14 Griffin Court be exempted from the provisions of By-law
182-96 "A by-law to prohibit the keeping of certain classes of animals and
to regulate the keeping of certain other classes of animals in the Town of
Markham" subject to the property owner entering into a written agreement
with the Town that shall include the following conditions:
1. That
permission pertains to the current owner only.
2. Pigeons
are to be housed solely on the subject property.
3. A
maximum of 40 pigeons be permitted on the property.
4. All
structures used to house the pigeons must meet zoning lot line set-backs,
building and property
standards regulations.
5. Receipt
of a written commitment that flights of the pigeons be restricted to
twice daily between the
hours of 6:00am - 10:00am, and 7:00pm
- 10:00 pm.
6. Continued
membership in the Brampton & Peel County Poultry, Pigeon & Pet
Stock Association.
7. All
pigeons must be banded with identifying leg bands issued by a club or
organization.
CARRIED
2. MEMORANDUM
OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE
MARKHAM-STOUFFVILLE HOSPITAL
FOR THE
DEVELOPMENT OF A TOWN
RECREATION AND
LIBRARY FACILITY ON THE
MARKHAM
STOUFFVILLE HOSPITAL CAMPUS
(6.6 & 3.19 & 8.2) Weblink 2 3
Members
discussed the proposal to develop a partnership for an integrated Health and
Wellness/Community Centre between the Town and Markham-Stouffville Hospital,
which would include a Town library, recreation facilities, and hospital related
clinical and health services.
It was
noted that this building concept plan is in its preliminary stage and Council
will be updated regularly through the Finance & Administrative Committee on
the status of the project.
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
That Council approve
in principle the concept of integrating the East Community Centre within the
emerging Markham Stouffville Hospital site campus;
And that staff
prepare a facility concept plan for Council consideration;
And that Council
endorse the Memorandum of Understanding between the Markham Stouffville Hospital and
the Town of Markham);
And that staff
enters into formal discussions and negotiations with the Markham Stouffville
Hospital to develop in more detail the partnership agreement between the Town
of Markham and the Markham Stouffville Hospital related to the development and
the operation of the East Community Centre;
And that staff works
in cooperation with the Markham Stouffville Hospital and the Grace Hospital of York Region to prepare a report that
identifies a concept plan for facility amenities and additional details on the
partnership for Council consideration;
And that the Town
participate in the site master plan process with the Markham-Stouffville Hospital and
the Grace Hospital of York Region to an upset limit of $74,000 to be funded
from the Development Charge account (90%) and the General Capital Reserve (10%)
in 2005.
CARRIED
3. GREENHOUSE
CONSTRUCTION (6.3) Weblink
In
response to a request from Committee for comparative costs for contracting out,
staff advised that a memorandum will be forwarded to Members of Council
detailing comparative costs for out sourcing, in addition to the use of solar
energy.
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Heath
That the staff
report entitled "Greenhouse Construction", dated September 20, 2004, be received;
And that staff be
authorized to proceed with the Greenhouse Construction project in the fall of
2004;
And that funding for
this project, to an upset limit of $70,000, be provided for from closed capital
projects, to be identified in the 2004 update on the status of capital
projects.
CARRIED
4. MARKHAM
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
FUND REPLENISHMENT (5.7) Weblink
Members
were reminded that the Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund (MESF) was
created to assist the Town with funding innovative and leading environmental
initiatives that would contribute to the sustainability and health of the natural
environment. Committee had before it a
report recommending approval of projects to be funded from the MESF, and also
recommending approval to replenish the Fund to its base level of $300,000 for
2005.
There
was some discussion regarding projects on school board and other private
properties; detailed budget requests; insurance issues; maintenance of
projects; rental vs purchase of equipment/capital items; and storage of
equipment. Members were advised that the
current application form and process may have to be modified due to some issues
raised, and any changes necessary would be reported to the Finance &
Administrative Committee.
It was
agreed that if Members have any additional questions regarding this matter,
they should be directed to the Chair of the Environmental Issues Committee and
the Acting Manager, Environmental Leadership.
Moved by Councillor E. Shapero
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
That the staff
report entitled "Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund
Replenishment", dated September 20, 2004 be received;
And that Council
approve the $32,700 of projects evaluated and recommended by the Environmental
Issues Committee, outlined in the Financial Considerations section of this
report, to be funded from the Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund (MESF),
Account #872800168;
And that the
replenishment for the fund, to be base level of $300,000, be considered in the
2005 Capital Budget process, as approved by Council on April 13, 2004;
And that Members of
Council be invited to attend the Official Launch of the Markham Environmental
Sustainability Fund and cheque presentations to successful applicants on Saturday, October 2, 2004 at noon at the Civic Centre;
And further that
staff proceed with advertising the Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund
and soliciting applications for the 2005 season.
CARRIED
5. PETITION
FOR MTO SUBSIDY FOR THE 2004
CONNECTING LINK PROGRAM
(5.10) Weblink
Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
That the report
entitled "Petition for MTO Subsidy for the 2004 Connecting Link
Program" be received;
And that the
Operations and Asset Management Department be authorized to petition for the
statutory subsidy pursuant to The Public Transportation and Highway Improvement
Act on expenditures for 2004 Connecting Link Construction Projects to
facilitate the 16th Avenue/Markham Road Intersection Improvements;
And that Council
approve the Connecting Link Construction By-Law to authorize the execution of a
proposal and estimated costs for the construction of a connecting link
designated by the Minister of Transportation.
CARRIED
6. AWARD
OF CONTRACT FOR GEORGE PINGLE HOUSE
RESTORATION AND ADDITION
(CORPORATE
TRAINING CENTRE) (7.12) Weblink 1
Moved by Regional Councillor J. Heath
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones
That the contract
for George Pingle House Restoration and Addition be awarded to Bondfield
Construction Company Limited in the total amount of $593,850 inclusive of 7%
GST ($555,000.00 exclusive of GST);
And that funding be
provided from the Angus Glen Community Centre and Library Budget - Heritage
Building - Account No. 063-5350-4906-005 in the amount of $296,800.00 and 2004
Capital Accounts for the George Pingle House Restoration and Addition Account
No. 056-5350-6303-005 in the amount of $258,200.00;
And that a
contingency of $32,100 inclusive of 7% GST ($30,000 exclusive of GST) be
established and that cost overruns up to the contingency amount be charged to
the overall construction contingency account for the Angus Glen Community
Centre and Library.
CARRIED
____________________________________________________________________________
Other matters considered by Finance & Administrative Committee
on September 20, 2004:
7. SWAN
LAKE VILLAGE
- TASK GROUP FOR FAIR
TAXATION AND DELIVERY OF
MUNICIPAL
SERVICES (7.3 & 12.2.6)
Mr. Adrian Schollen,
Chairman of the Swan Lake Group & The Association of Markham Village and
Townhouse Condominiums, addressed Committee requesting that a Task Group be
formed to examine the provision of municipal services to the owners of
condominium properties. Copies of his
presentation were distributed to Members.
Some discussion took
place regarding the need to explore issues related to the request; methods of
assessment used to determine taxation; and implications. It was agreed that the matter should be
referred to staff to provide detailed information and options available.
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
That the
presentation of Mr. Adrian Schollen, Chairman of the Swan Lake Group & The
Association of Markham Village and Townhouse Condominiums, regarding the
formation of a Task Force for Fair Taxation and Delivery of Municipal Services,
be referred to staff for additional information and report;
And that such
report include an exploration of the issues; an overview of the taxation
system; options available; the merits of establishing a task force; suggested
terms of reference; related criteria and membership; and possible implications.
CARRIED
8. 2004
SECOND QUARTER YEAR-TO-DATE
REVIEW OF OPERATIONS (7.0)
Mr. Fuwing Wong,
Manager, Financial Planning, presented an overview of the Second Quarter
Year-to-Date Review of Operations for 2004.
Moved by Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero
That the
presentation of the Manager, Financial Planning, regarding the 2004 Second
Quarter Year-to-Date Review of Operations, be received.
CARRIED
9. INTRODUCTION
OF DIRECTOR,
CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS (12.2.6 & 11.0)
The Commissioner of
Corporate Services welcomed Ms. Janet Carnegie, the recently appointed Director
of Corporate Communications.
10. 2003 TOWN OF MARKHAM
ANNUAL REPORT (7.2)
Mr. Gerard Sequeira,
Manager, Accounting and Expenditure Control, provided a brief overview of the
2003 Town of Markham Annual Report, the theme of which describes Markham's potential
as a "knowledge community".
Copies of the document were previously distributed to all Members of
Council. Staff was directed to place
copies of the Annual Report at all community centres throughout the Town.
Committee
congratulated Corporate Services Commission staff for their work in the
preparation of this excellent document.
Moved by Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Councillor D. Horchik
That the
presentation of the Manager, Accounting and Expenditure Control, regarding the
2003 Town of Markham Annual Report, be received.
CARRIED
11. MINUTES
- 2ND PUBLIC MEETING - DEVELOPMENT
CHARGE BY-LAWS - AUGUST 31, 2004 (7.11)
Moved by Councillor J. Virgilio
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Heath
That the minutes of
the 2nd Public Meeting on the Development Charge By-laws, held August 31, 2004,
be received.
CARRIED
12. STAFF
AWARDED CONTRACTS FOR THE PERIOD FROM
JUNE 1, 2004 TO AUGUST
31, 2004 (7.12) Weblink
Due to a query
relating to the financial charts in the staff report, Members were advised that
the wording will be clarified in future reports.
Moved by Regional Councillor J. Heath
Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero
That the report
entitled "Staff Awarded Contracts for the Period from June 1, 2004 to August 31, 2004" dated September 20, 2004 be received.
CARRIED
13. CAO
DELEGATED APPROVAL -
SUMMER 2004 (10.6 &
16.23) Weblink
Moved by Councillor J. Virgilio
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Heath
That the report
entitled "CAO Delegated Approval - Summer 2004" dated August 31, 2004 be received for information only.
CARRIED
14. CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS - MARKHAM THEATRE
REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE AND ANNUAL PARTNERSHIP
(7.0 & 12.2.6)
Committee had before it a letter dated September 15, 2004 and accompanying email from Debra Weller, Chair, Celebration of the
Arts, requesting assistance and annual partnership with Markham Theatre.
The Commissioner of Community and Fire
Services provided Committee with financial information relating to the 2003
event and proposed costs for the 2004 event. It was suggested that in view of
the fact that Ms. Debra Weller, Chair, Celebration of the Arts, was unable to
attend this date, that the matter be referred to the meeting of Committee of
the Whole scheduled for September 28, 2004.
Moved by Councillor J. Virgilio
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones
That the request for assistance with
respect to the 2004 Celebration of the Arts, be deferred and referred to the
meeting of Committee of the Whole on September 28, 2004;
And that Ms. Debra Weller, Chair,
Celebration of the Arts, be invited to attend.
CARRIED
15. ANTI-IDLING EDUCATION CAMPAIGN - MARKHAM
NEWMARKET IDLE-FREE COMMUNITY CHALLENGE (5.7)
Members were advised
that the York Region Environmental Alliance and the Towns of Markham and
Newmarket are initiating a community challenge to residents to stop vehicle
idling that will help protect the environment.
Staff was requested to obtain the necessary posters and sign-up sheets
for the challenge and make them available to the public.
Moved by Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero
That space be made available at the
Markham Civic Centre and at the Town's Community Centres for residents to sign
up and pledge to be idle-free during the Markham-Newmarket Idle-Free Community
Challenge.
CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT
The Finance
& Administrative Committee meeting adjourned at the hour of 2:50 p.m.